Spiritual Superhighway

10 Rules For Getting Effective Results From Prayer*

1)      Set aside a few minutes every day. Do not say anything. Simply practice thinking about God. This will make your mind spiritually receptive.

2)      Then pray orally, using simple, natural words. Tell God anything that is on your mind. Do not think you must use stereotyped pious phrases. Talk to God in your own language. He understands it.

3)      Pray as you go about the business of the day, on the subway or bus or at your desk. Utilize minute prayers by closing your eyes to shut out the world and concentrating briefly on God’s presence. The more you do this every day the nearer you will feel God’s presence.

4)      Do not always ask when you pray, but instead affirm God’s blessings are being given and spend most of your prayers giving thanks.

5)      Pray with the belief that sincere prayers can reach out and surround your loved ones with God’s love and protection.

6)      Never use a negative thought in prayer. Only positive thoughts get results.

7)      Always express willingness to accept God’s will. Ask for what you want, but be willing to take what God gives you. It may be better than what you ask for.

8)      Practice the attitude of putting everything in God’s hands. Ask for the ability to do your best and to leave the results confidently to God.

9)      Pray for people you do not like or who have mistreated you. Resentment is blockade number one of spiritual power.

10)  Make a list of people for whom to pray. The more you pray for other people, especially those not connected with you, the more prayer results will come back to you.

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*Norman Vincent Peale, The Power of Positive Thinking, Fawcett Crest Edition, 1963, p.51-52.

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Check-out my two new books: Sufism for Western Seekers: Path of the Spiritual Traveler in Everyday Life and The Ferryman’s Dream.  Both books are available through Amazon.com or local bookstore.

Living A Dream

Become a mountain stream

And free the valley people of thirst;

Laughingly glide over immobile stones and stumps,

That is living a dream.

 

Become an eagle and soar above the earth;

Make your home on the highest peak,

Live on the wind, and adorn the sky.

Realize each is part of nature

And where we fit into this theme;

That is living a dream.

 

Embrace your Higher Self,

And caress the Holy Name;

Learn to touch God, for an instant,

With your Heart;

That is living a dream.

-SB

Death's Call

Gently, the ocean waves break upon the rocks;

As an old woman rests

Beneath the late afternoon sun.

Sheltered beneath her favorite umbrella,

Sitting in a worn beach chair.

Listening to the ocean’s soft lullaby;

Slowly, she raises her head

And peacefully calls out across the water.

 

“You are nothing more

That a warm afternoon in the sun;

An eternal vacation by the shore

And I am no longer afraid.”

 

Again very slowly, she rests her head

Back on her chest;

And for a moment, closes her eyes to rest-

Breathing deeply the fresh ocean air.

-SB

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Check-out my two new books: Sufism for Western Seekers: Path of the Spiritual Traveler in Everyday Life and The Ferryman’s Dream.  Both books are available through Amazon.com or local bookstore.

Recent Radio Show

Radio Show Link is Up

For anyone who would like to listen to my recent appearance on Conversations With Advant Garde Sages, Talk Radio Show, that was aired on 5/15; a recording of the Show is now posted on their site. We discussed my 2 new books and many other topics for the spiritual traveler. Follow instructions below and give a listen.

Instructions:  Simply go to thewizardllc.com and click on the Conversations Tab. Enter my name (Stewart Bitkoff) in the search engine (or any part thereof); it will pop up as a hot link. When that hot link is clicked the program plays.

Enjoy the Show. Stewart